{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Innovative Schools Podcast","title":"S2:E7 - 50 Strategies to Engage At-Risk Students","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/6890a23a\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2704,"description":"This special “50-in-50” panel was recorded live at the Innovative Schools Summit in Las Vegas (2025) and moderated by Kevin Stewart from the Innovative Schools Summit team.👥 Featured SpeakersErnesto Mejia – CoolSpeak family member and motivational educatorCharles Williams – CPS administrator & founder of C.W. ConsultingJobi Lawrence – Director of Product Development & Strategic Partnerships, UCLA CrestConnie Hamilton – Author, consultant, and former teacher, principal, and curriculum directorTracie Berry-McGhee – Founder of the I Define Me Movement, focusing on girl empowerment🧠 Key Takeaways✔️ “At-risk” is a label, not a destiny—reframe it as “promise scholars” or “students of potential.”✔️ Connection precedes instruction. Build authentic relationships before focusing on academics.✔️ Engagement thrives when students have voice, choice, and purpose in their learning.✔️ Real-world relevance, creativity, and emotional safety are essential for classroom belonging.✔️ Family and community partnerships are critical for sustained student success.💬 Memorable Quotes from the Episode🗣️“No one rises to low expectations.”🗣️“Stop calling them at-risk unless they introduce themselves that way.”🗣️“Use your story as a mirror, not a spotlight.”🗣️“Our students can’t be what they can’t see—create experiences, not just field trips.”🗣️“Normalize under-committing. Students don’t have to be 100% sure to participate.”🗣️“If you want to engage your classroom, read the room’s energy first.”🗣️“Don’t teach at students—let them teach you what they love.”🎯 50 Strategies to Engage At-Risk Students00:00 - Intro02:11 - Stop calling them “at-risk”02:45 - Shadow their futureselves03:23 - The Two-by-Ten Strategy04:16 - Hire your students as consultants04:43 - Lyric Therapy05:05 - Create a Fix-It File05:40 - Silent Graffiti Wall06:24 - Hyper-Local Real World Problem Labs07:09 - Use your story as a mirror, not a spotlight07:57 - Ask-Me-Anything Box08:44 - Home Visits & Phone-a-Family Fridays09:35 -...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/H4liWdY1xtMscQdFua-WDg0togPx-4mqxbFLQt2ZRrg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81N2U1/MTMwNWYzZDkyNGYz/ODgyYjExYWM5NjU1/YWYwOS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}